Lipstick & Camera Clicks

by D.J. Murphy

Reaching for the coffee pot, I turn my back to him. I’ve never been great at hiding my emotions, and every word that comes out of his mouth makes my jaw tighten.

Am I so predictable that he can rehearse these answers ahead of time? Or is he such a pathological liar that making things up is as easy as breathing?

How many lies is that? I think that’s number seven. How bold can they get? Meeting up without turning off location share is wild.

“Shut the fuck up. Your Javi?” She steps inside and I shake my head because no, not my Javi. I don’t think he was ever my Javi.

Ryan hugs me from behind, giving me a tight squeeze. “There’s my girl.”

It’s none of my business, but sometimes I forget about that side of his life. He’s always been private about his dating.

“You shouldn’t cry over someone like him.” River says before opening the door.

“Unless you want to borrow mine. My stuff looks good on you.” I wave him off. Flirting is a part of Rivers’ personality and I’ve learned not to take it seriously.

Bitchhh are u sure

“You’re the easiest person to love. There’s no way he doesn’t regret it. He’s being an ass because his inflated ego won’t let him beg you to come back.”

“I’m just saying he mishandled you in ways that will never make sense to me.”

The culprit enters the room and I feel the air leave my lungs.

“If we’re being honest, I made Javi who he is today. Some men are good at that. They know which women they can suck dry until they don’t need them anymore.”

I’ll be the bad guy if they want me too, but they can hate me while I collect that check.

You’re not horrible looking and I’ve been stuck in the house with you all summer. It’s you now. It’ll be someone new tomorrow.” I lied. It was River tomorrow, and the next day and the day after that.

“You’re always welcome. You just look like you’re up to no good.”

“Will it be me you’re focusing on?” River turns to me, cocking his head to the side.

“I don’t see you as my sister. You’re my best friend, but you’re also a woman. Javi recognized that too.”

“Okay, but Javi’s insecure. We’d never go there.” “I can’t say that for sure. If I were Javi, I wouldn’t have wanted you around me either.”

Something about the way she says it reminds me of my mom and I automatically feel my defenses go up.

He tells me to keep my distance, but openly flirts? The urge to wipe that stupid smile off his face is strong.

“Come on beautiful girl.” He sways with the music.

“I can never not pay attention to you.” He runs his hands through his hair and his jaw sets into a hard line. He moves closer, grabbing my forearm and pulling me toward him. “Seeing you with Kade drives me crazy.” That familiar fire dances along my skin at his touch. “Why?” “Why do you think?”

“It’s not just Kade. I don’t want you with anyone else.” His eyes don’t waver from mine. “Why River? I need to hear you say why.”

He closes the distance between us and places his hands on either side of my face. “Because I think you belong with me.” He presses his forehead against mine.

River Beck’s saying words I’ve dreamed of. My body reacts to his touch, and I want to run my fingers down his chest and pull him impossibly closer.

“Are you okay?” “No. Blue, I’m not okay.”

“What are you doing?” “Crossing the line.” His mouth’s on mine, and everything about this kiss is raw emotion that’s been held back for too long. His tongue glides against the seam of my lips, asking for permission, and I let him in. My hands go to his hair, and he presses his knee between my legs.

Before I can stop myself, I’m moaning his name, and this only emboldens him.

River’s name is on my lips again because I’m falling apart and I want him to know he’s the one doing it to me.

Got to take advantage of the free advertisement. So even though my date isn’t for hours, you best believe I’m going to walk around with my face beat for the cameras all day.

It’s crazy how quickly he can change my mood, but I’m still frustrated. He has such a hold on me, I never feel in control.

He pauses, his head hovering above mine. “I enjoy taking care of you.” He shrugs and makes his way to the driver’s seat. “You gonna tell me where we’re going, Riv?” “And ruin the surprise?” He starts the engine and grins, “Enjoy the adventure, Blue.” Placing his hand on the steering wheel, he hits the gas and with his free hand he wraps his fingers around my thigh. When did we reach a point where touching each other feels so natural?

Oh riverrrrrr

“This place is great. What is it your moms says? They put their feet in this food.” “Foot River. They put their foot in it. Lord, please don’t embarrass me in front of these people.”

Here he was confessing his feelings, admitting he thought you were cute—as if cute even begins to describe you—after he’d been tormenting you all year.

I squeeze them together trapping his hand and he smiles against my skin. He pulls my panties to the side and there he finds the evidence that he’s won this battle. “How much longer are you going to run from me?” His finger circles my clit and I gasp, arching into him.

“I’m only doing what your body tells me to do, if only your mouth was as honest.” He lets a slow smile build. At that moment, I realize I’m rocking against him.

“The next time he kisses you, remember how badly your body craves mine.” There’s a darkness in his eyes I’ve never seen before, and it dawns on me that he’s seen the footage of my kiss with Kade.

“When I first saw you, I remember thinking that you were one of the most beautiful women I’d ever seen, the way that dress wrapped around you should be a crime.”

Absolutely nothing. I wanted that kiss. The problem is that the kiss changes things. This was supposed to be my one-sided fling, over as fast as it came.

If you’d have told me I’d be riding in a car with my cheating ex and the new guy I’ve been sort of dating, while the guy I haven’t been able to forget films it all, I would’ve told you to seek help.

Without thinking, I shake him off and I immediately regret it when I see the hurt that flashes across his features.

“You’ve been holding out on me, Indie. What’s going on here? That man’s looking at you like he’s starving, and he bit that guy’s head off for touching you.”

This is not a conversation we should be having. Not when I can barely keep my thoughts together. I lean against the sink and sigh.

“This is my fault.” She whispers and brings her hands to her mouth. “What about River, Indie? He loves you.”

“Indie, did I force my brother to watch you fall in love with someone else?” Her voice breaks and her eyes glisten. River and I haven’t even figured things out yet, and it’s already causing our relationships to shift.

“I think I could have fallen for Kade. I wanted to try because being with him is comfortable, but being with River scares me to death because I want it so bad. There is no room left in my heart when River exists.”

“I’m done running Ry.” I unlock the door and set off with my mind made. It’s time to end this and face River.

“I had it in my head since we were kids that you were mine. I’ve been in love with you since before I was old enough to know what love was.”

River Beck’s on his knees in front of me. Suddenly I feel shy, and my hand moves to cover myself.

“You can’t put a meal in front of a starving man and then take it away.” His touch is gentle as he uncovers me.